WJPA Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Anthony Mantha had two goals and an assist, Rickard Rakell scored twice and the Pittsburgh Penguins rallied to defeat the New York Islanders 8-3 in a crucial game in the competitive Eastern Conference playoff race. The Penguins trailed 3-1 midway through the second period before scoring four times in less than 6 1/2 minutes to take over. Their seventh goal on their 28th shot eight minutes into the third chased Ilya Sorokin, who was done in by porous defense in front of him. Pittsburgh with the regulation victory leapfrogged New York into second place in the Metropolitan Division, 90 points to 89.

CINCINNATI (AP) — Chase Burns allowed one hit in five innings for his first major league win, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 2-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Burns (1-0) walked three and struck out seven, including Jared Triolo with two on and two outs in the fourth. Conner Phillips retired three straight for his first career save. Elly De La Cruz singled leading off the fourth against Braxton Ashcraft (0-1) for the Reds but was thrown out trying to steal second. Sal Stewart walked, took third on a single by Eugenio Suárez and scored on a sacrifice fly by Spencer Steer. Suárez scored on a triple by Will Benson to cap the scoring in a third straight win for Cincinnati.

PHOENIX (AP) — The NFL is moving forward with plans to begin hiring and training replacement officials in the next several weeks because negotiations with the referees’ union have been unsuccessful, two people with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press. Both people spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday because the conversations are private. The league and the NFL Referees Association have been negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement since the summer of 2024. The current CBA expires on May 31. The NFL has increased its offer to a 6.45% annual growth rate in compensation over a six-year labor deal, but the NFLRA wants 10% plus $2.5 million for marketing fees, the people said.

Survive & advance. The Men’s Basketball tournament Final Four is set–#1 Arizona will take on #1 Michigan, #2 UConn will play #3 Illinois on Saturday. Meanwhile the women moved to the Elite 8 round, with two spots decided Sunday–#1 UConn & #1 UCLA  both winning.  WJPA-AM (1450) is your home for the NCAA Men’s & Women’s Basketball Championships, right through the finals next Sunday & Monday.

Monday, March 30
Women’s Elite 8 
#1 Texas > #2 Michigan, 77-41
#1 South Carolina > #3 TCU, 78-52

Sunday, March 29
Men’s Elite 8 
#1 Michigan > #6 Tennessee, 95-62
#2 UConn > #1 Duke, 73-72

Women’s Elite 8
#1 UConn > #6 Notre Dame, 70-52
#1 UCLA > #3 Duke, 70-58